Baylor Bears – March Madness Team Predictions, Odds and Preview 2016

No. 5 West – Baylor Bears (Overall: 22-11, Conf: 10-8)

Team Strengths:

Baylor has a number of skilled scorers, but the talent and versatility of Taurean Prince, the power of Rico Gathers, and the steadiness of Johnathan Motley shouldn’t overshadow the Bears’ ability to move the ball around and find the open man. Baylor is averaging 17.4 assists per game, which is good enough for ninth overall in the nation.

It’s also a big reason why the Bears are shooting a pretty solid 46.6 percent from the field as they often get the ball inside for high percentage shots. In fact, Baylor is sixth in Division I ball with 56.4% of their shots at the rim coming off assists. The Bears are making just 6.2 threes per game, but they could make opponents pay for leaving them free from deep, as Baylor is knocking down 37.8% of its shots from beyond the arc.

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Team Weaknesses:

Rico Gathers is animal on the glass and if it weren’t for an illness, he would’ve ended the regular season inside the nation’s top 10 in rebounds. Despite Gathers’ presence, Baylor still has problems collaring boards particularly on defense, as the Bears saw their opponents get 7.8 offensive rebounds per game.

The Bears are allowing a decent 69.6 points per game, but a look beyond that figure reveals a problematic defense that lets opponent shoot 44.7% from the floor and register 51.1% eFG.

Team Stats:

Category | Stat | NCAA Rank
Points Per Game | 76.6 | 79
Rebounds Per Game | 37.0 | 114
Blocks Per Game | 3.9 | 105
3-Point Percentage | 37.8% | 46
Free Throw Percentage | 73.3% | 53

Starting Lineup:

Position | Name | PPG
F | Taurean Prince | 15.7
F | Johnathan Motley | 11.0
G | Ishmail Wainright | 5.9
G | Al Freeman | 11.4
G | Lester Medford | 9.1

Writer’s Prediction:

Baylor makes it to the Round of 32.